iOS 7: a bug-infested mess or simply a work in progress?

After the smoke has cleared around
Apple's overhauled iOS 7, and we've had enough time to test out and
actually enjoy the new look and features, it's time we finally drew the line. Many of you will have done this already, in
your own way. Giving iOS an objective rating, however, involves a
string of impossibilities, if only because the process in itself is
inherently subjective. For what it counts, we actually like the new
iOS – it sure was about time. And though most negative feedback we've come across involved a knee-jerk reaction, we do acknowledge the fact that not everybody
necessarily feels the way we do.

But, you know what isn't subjective?
Bugs. And though there's certainly a variation to the severity of
different people's reactions to bugs, it's safe to say that nobody
likes them. Unfortunately, iOS 7 is ripe with those, and some could even say that that's the understatement of the year, since it feels like
those are everywhere. Now, don't go making grand conclusions just yet
– while the number of things not working/rendering properly is
pretty significant, for the most part the updated platform is working very well as far as the core functionality/stability of the system is involved.

But hasn't attention to detail long
served as the de-facto motto of Apple? Well, as far as iOS 7 is
concerned, we can confidently say that Apple has lost its touch –
the new OS showcases anything, but attention to detail. It feels rushed and unpolished.

Do keep in mind that while we were able to replicate/have come across a pretty fair amount of the bugs you're about to see, there are some that may have been fixed with a newer version. These are almost entirely bugs and design inconsistencies found in iOS 7 itself, and not third-party app which you could argue are also responsible for the way their brainchildren behave.

A PhoneArena user has emailed us an image of another unexpected bug taking place on his iPhone 5 running iOS 7. This one shows an almost complete loss of the homescreen, which got abducted after the user exited the popular Zedge app. Weird, though in all honesty, weird has been the theme of the software lately.

Disclaimer

image

Lost orientation is a recurring problem with iOS 7.

image

Text overlapping with borders, buttons and what not, is an issue present throughout the near entirety of iOS 7 in its current state.

image

As already mentioned, orientation isn't iOS 7's strongest suit -- the status bar, in a surprising move, has chosen to make a home on the bottom.

Do keep in mind that while we were able to replicate/have come across a pretty fair amount of the bugs you're about to see, there are some that may have been fixed with a newer version. These are almost entirely bugs and design inconsistencies found in iOS 7 itself, and not third-party app which you could argue are also responsible for the way their brainchildren behave.

iOS 7 bugs and design inconsistencies

1. Disclaimer

Do keep in mind that while we were able to replicate/have come across a pretty fair amount of the bugs you're about to see, there are some that may have been fixed with a newer version. These are almost entirely bugs and design inconsistencies found in iOS 7 itself, and not third-party app which you could argue are also responsible for the way their brainchildren behave.

2. BSOD

Ever heard of BSOD? It's the acronym for the popular Blue Screen of Death that on Microsoft's Windows OS meant that a critical error has occurred and the computer needs to shut down.

It appears it's no longer a Microsoft exclusive, so to speak.

3. BSOD

Well, what do you know, more blue screens.

4. They call it the Big Bug

Some experimental stuff right there.

5. Disclaimer

A PhoneArena user has emailed us an image of another unexpected bug taking place on his iPhone 5 running iOS 7. This one shows an almost complete loss of the homescreen, which got abducted after the user exited the popular Zedge app. Weird, though in all honesty, weird has been the theme of the software lately.

6.

Lost orientation is a recurring problem with iOS 7.

7.

Text overlapping with borders, buttons and what not, is an issue present throughout the near entirety of iOS 7 in its current state.

8.

As already mentioned, orientation isn't iOS 7's strongest suit -- the status bar, in a surprising move, has chosen to make a home on the bottom.

9.

One of several significant glitches when calls are involved.

10.

Top row notifications overlap the status bar rather significantly.

11.

Alignment of text and graphical content is quite haphazard in iOS 7.

12.

Again, problems with alignment (look closely).

13.

iOS 7 being kind of optimistic about remaining battery life.

14.

Well, that's just sloppy.

15.

Notification counters are being naughty once again.

16.

An overlap hat-trick.

17.

Font is also pretty inconsistent.

18.

Another overlap in the dialer UI

19.

20.

21.

22.

23.

24.

25.

So much overlapping!

26.

Another example of design inconsistency -- note how the music icon changes depending on whether it's clicked or not.

27.

Again, probably the smallest of details, but the Sounds icon is being a rebel.

28.

29.

There is something wrong with iCloud -- we've seen one too many scenarios where it breaks formation.

30.

Oh boy!

31.

Double status bars happen.

32.

Every now and then, icons (1st row, 3rd column) get dimmed.

33.

Doesn't fit

34.

iOS 7 has a serious case of the overlaps.

35.

This happens pretty consistently on the iPhone 4 during calls and SIM unlocks.

36.

Another inconsistency that we weren't able to figure out. Thoughts?

37.

Happens when you get a call in Spotlight.

38.

Imagine the spoof/fake Changelog possibilities this could open!

After the many, many
bugs and design inconsistencies you just went through (including the
return of the lockscreen bypass), would you say that iOS 7 is a mess,
or simply a work in progress? Us, we are leaning on the
latter – software overhauls, and overhauls as a whole, are a messy
business. But we're most definitely happy that Apple finally went ahead and did it. Of course, as time goes by, so does everyone's
patience for these design and functional aberrations, so we do
hope we won't have to re-visit this subject again, a month or two
from now.

Your avatar gives the truth away. Android is relatively bug free, the only bug I have ever had was the carriers fault and it was connecting to 2g instead of WCDMA unless I turned data off then back on. It was fixed by setting it to only run in WCDMA mode and it was fixed a couple weeks later when they pushed an update.

I'm not saying these bugs don't exist when there's significant reoccuring proof, but every bug listed above I have not experienced on my 4S. I'm shocked at how messy this is for some people. I'm not a fan of the new music playerformat (all the buttons at the bottom are too close together - it's easy to change track by accident when you only wanted to change volume, etc.). What is everyone doing to get these glitches? Amazing.

24.nestea (unregistered)

That's your problem. You keep constantly saying you haven't experienced any bugs while everybody else has. As if others with idevices are lying about the bugs. I guess that puts you in the same boat then? Not saying you are lying but you're not the only one with an iphone.

I've had the 5S since release and had the 4S with iOS7 for the couple of days before. I haven't experienced a single problem. I do work at Verizon however and everyone that has iPhone 4 is having tons of problems due to them only have 8gb of memory in most case to begin with, then with all their stuff and the update it slows the phone down so drastically, not to mention the technology in the phone is three years old and iOS7 is NOT MADE FOR IPHONE 4.

In case you haven't noticed, since you've already drank the iKoolaide, their supposed "Unbreakable" (Apple Claimed) Fingerprint Sensor Got Busted in a day or two. Their 64bit chip lacks the onboard memory to even utilize half of the projected gains claimed by moving to 64bit first. That's the reason Apple's competitors were mostly holding off on 64bit chips in the first place.

The gains claimed by Apple are really minor and they can't help that fingerprint sensor, when all it took was a 1st grader's wad of bubble gum to Spoof. Apple will have to buy Samsung's 4GB Ram chips to get anywhere close to the optimal performance gains that come with 64bit chips in all reality.

So with an iOS version that more resembles pieces and parts of their competition's OS features and UI look n feel, no wonder they're having so many problems, even if you can't see it blinded by the iLight!

Arm has had 64 bit avadible since like 2009. You are correct the only reason for not using 64bit chips was because it literally has no gain without the proper tech. The iPhone does not have the proper hardware to take advantage of 64bit therefore it is a marketing gimmick to trick customers.

That's not entirely true. Truth - yes ARM began working on 64bit RISC chips in co-operation with IBM in 2009. But to date though 64bit chips have been coming off line at Samsung's Austin Texas Semiconductor Plant and TSMC now, no 64bit ARM chips are for sale yet.

But the reality is that Apple's ARM chip is most likely a customized ARM chip in the first place. So Apple most likely did want to be FIRST for 1st Sake only like some 1st grader on YouTube Comments!

Yet here's the kicker; Apple's new iOS 7 isn't a ground up written 64bit system. It's a recompiled 32bit OS made to run 64bit Apps on 64bit chips!

By a company that take its gadgets as a TOP NOTCH - such things like this can NOT HAPPEN!!!!
I can understand other OSes, like Windows - drivers issues, Android - a lot of devices with a lot of diff hardware - but strong alone single hardware build for only one iOS and has bugggs???? Where is the reason then to pay skyhigh price for TOP NOTCH iDevice, iService iUpdates.....i am still not convinced to return to APPLE agagin...probably never will go BACK to APPLE!!!

Yet here they are suffering from the same fate but they never cease to flame the other OSs. Everyone learns things from other OSs or take deign inspiration from one another. Everyone does. Except Apple cries "copycat!" and sues companies all the while ripping off designs and features from others.

I agree on that part.
To be really honest, I didn't like iOS 7 at all. After the first week, I realized that it was just a splash of paint over iOS 6 with annoying functionality. Never have I felt so disappointed with Apple. I mean, this is what you get after 7 betas and a Gold Master? Tons of bugs, poor battery life, and lag? Even the god damned background app refresh rarely seems to work (I've never seen any app fetching new content automatically in the background, even if it supports the feature).
I miss iOS 6 so badly. And the worst thing? I cannot downgrade.
I've been an Apple user for as long as I know; but now I think I'd have to switch to a Nexus device (since I hate almost any other Android except the Vanilla one).
This is NOT a fake comment. I'm really disappointed with iOS 7.
Then again, it could only be a problem with my phone, but I doubt that'd happen.

It's the same for pretty much every electronic device. I refuse to update until I get word from others on whether or not there are crippling bugs. Thankfully there are beta testers and tech sites willing to go through the updating process.

Apple hasn't changed its ios in so many years that when they made a shift in ui styke it shows how messed up they are. They have lazy for way too long using the exact same menu for 5 years and when push came to shove they released a buggy new style.

That say there were many versions of ios6 one after the other,each outted quickly to fix the bugs of the previous version,each creating newer bugs of their own

3.nestea (unregistered)

On a serious note, this is one thing iOS had over Android, smooth, responsive and consistent; and like the article said, Apple's attention to detail.
Sure, you expect bugs in a new release, especially in such an overhaul, however really poor form. And no doubt there are more yet to be found!

At least looks like Apple is still being it's highly responsive self with such things and rolling out the fixes almost daily. Still.....shame!

You need to understand how Apple accomplishes that so called smooth responsiveness over it's competitors. Since it really only appears that way. Because up until now with ARM's emulation, they've been locked out of running true full multitasking and actually still are on iOS's base HFS+ file system.

That's because their Achilles Heel has finally come out of hiding to kick them in their rear end. That being their archaic old MFS based single threaded file system. Designed on the principle of stacking tasks one on top of the other w/o the ability to multitask. Which was very efficient on legacy Macs and low powered mobile devices until now!

The only workaround they've created is called "Preemptive Task Management". Which is a fancy way of saying it can suspend one task to run another more important one at the moment, in HFS+. But that still isn't close to IBM's Pervasive Multithreading and tasking on PowerPC chips or especially BeOS's BFS file system. This is why Apple changed to Intel in the first place. Apple then had OS X running on HFS+ for backwards compatibility to Macs. By having Dominic Giampaolo (of BFS fame) add a virtual sub file system in 2004. But it still couldn't run True Multitasking on it's base file system even now.

Instead they've used slight of hand tricks to cover up things like lag and iOS's complete inability to run anything like Android's True Multitasking. Now they are trying to run multitasking in an emulator, like they did with 64bit Applications on OS X's 32bit OS running on IBM's 64bit PowerPC chips and later ported to Intel chips!

So now just like Android.... there will be more apparent lag, because they'll actually for the first time be able to run more than one task at a time in emulation. Which will be slower than them running on the hardware natively. Yet since their base file system still hasn't been ground up redesigned for today's computing needs, they may not have it all running even close to as smooth as even Android does on true modern fully journaled file systems, specifically designed for Multithreading and True Full Multitasking in the first place!

btw.... with HFS+'s 2040 bug still waiting out there, Apple better go back to basics and instead of hiding the fact that HFS+ is doomed, maybe write a whole new file system so they don't have to hide their operating systems behind their Wizard of Oz iMagical Curtain Gloom and Doom awaiting them!!!

.....and you want to know why Apple really fired Scott Forstall? Because he'd told them they'd better drop HFS+ for use on iOS in the first place and instead license ZFS from Sun back in 2006-2007. Scott already had iOS running on ZFS. But it was Steve's Legendary Ego that got the best of him then! .....and w/o Scott, iOS has become a bigger confused mess than Scott had predicted under his arch rival Sir Joni Ive "invented everything and Steve and Scott just took the credit"!
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